Taking a look at Android Auto on the 2015 Hyundai Sonata

The 2015 Hyundai Sonata is the first vehicle to receive the Android Auto update — and we take the updated infotainment system for a spin.

Android Auto may have been first announced a year ago, but it wasn't until recently that it was actually available for the masses to get their hands on. Several car manufacturers have committed to bringing the Android Auto update to their vehicles, but Hyundai was the first one to get it out there. Hyundai recently announced that the 2015 Sonata would be the first car to receive the Android Auto update, so naturally we had to head to the dealer to get our system updated.

From start to finish, the process takes about 30 minutes to complete, and then you are ready to use Android Auto. We have already seen Android Auto in pretty great detail, but check out the gallery below to see some additional shots of the Android Auto update on the 2015 Hyundai Sonata.

The update is made available to dealers on a USB drive that simply plugs into the vehicle to update. Later this year owners will be able to download the update themselves, and install it, but until then you will have to head to the dealer. Once the stick is plugged in, all the dealer does is head into the settings and update the system much the same as you would install an OTA update.

Once the update is complete, you do have to go back into the settings and enable Android Auto, before you can make use of it. After this you just need to plug the device in via USB, and have the Android Auto app installed on your phone. From here it will walk you through a basic set up and then you are good to go. If you own a 2015 Hyundai Sonata, be sure to call your local dealer to schedule an appointment to update your system to enable Android Auto.

Reader comments

Taking a look at Android Auto on the 2015 Hyundai Sonata

I have a 2015 sonata that I have my Samsung note 5 that I use along with android auto.. I have been using this setup for the past year and over that time I have had to totally reinstall everything on my note 5 three times.. What happens is after the phone has been connected to my sonata and running for a while using the android auto app, the phone looses everything like it's being rooted and I have to reinstall everything again from scratch including all the verizon info.. I end up with a blank screen on the note.. After rebooting the phone, all of my apps and phone info are re-downloaded.. Has anyone else had this problem? ? Thanks for your thoughts. .

Ok, the article title said "Taking a look at Android Auto on the 2015 Hyundai Sonata", but this is just a short write-up on getting the system upgraded. Where is the hands-on video or summary of how it works in the car? Are those cards swipable like in Google Now? So I assume the vehicle must have a capacitive touch screen for Android Auto to work?

And this article makes it sound like the phone has to be connected via USB cable and have the Android Auto app installed in order to work. Is this accurate? Doesn't it work over Bluetooth?

The Verge and I believe Engadget did nice reviews of Android Auto. Cards are not swipeable, because the entire experience is designed to keep your hands off the screen and eyes on the road as much as possible. I believe Phil said his Pioneer install didn't allow for voice recognition, which significantly reduces the "eyes off" advantages.

I guess it is better that it is a standalone app for now so anyone can use it and not depend on OS updates, but I am hoping this becomes baked into the OS. Apple surprisingly doesn't require a downloaded app.

Thus, there's the philosophical difference between Android and iOS. By having everything in the head unit, Apple's solution is far less sensitive to differences between phones. By utilizing an app on the phone, not only is Android Auto easily added to existing head units, but Google can also easily add new and improved functionality without updating the head unit.

Because Apple is different. Many of their features are baked into the os to force you to use it and not be able to uninstall and allow any competition to take away from that. You really can't compare that.

How do you guys like the Dart? My girlfriend needs to replace her crapped out Elantra, and I think the Dart would suit her. I've had them as rentals a few times and liked them, but u have no idea how they hold up.

while the android site mentions of Chrysler and dodge presumably getting android, how and when that is going to be implemented is a different question. doing it yourself will be a problem as you will need to cut a quarter inch strip away from the dash.
you also need to get the 2.4 engine cos the dart isn't the lightest.

Phone number is for "Tracy from Cardholder Services" so have fun with that.

Keep in mind, this update is usually done by the dealer, without anyone ever seeing the process. I was lucky enough to get to do it on my car. The average consumer will not have to worry about doing that update process.

I don't think it could realistically be any easier. Updating the OS of any device requires more steps than the average consumer is going to be comfortable with, and flashing software on a car is going to be a first even for most of us.

I'm just glad that dealerships are offering the service. I'd probably even take it to the dealer myself. Even though I'm sure it'd go without a hitch, accidentally screwing up a car is a lot scarier than soft bricking a phone.

Really? You drive into a dealership, they update your car and you're done. People get their oil change and tire rotation the same way. Plus this is just temporary, later in the year you'll be able to do it yourself.